“I am going to be a sideline commentator. I have to wear a tux,” O’Connell said, explaining the perks of his expanded part. “It’s the only thing I am on that my children will watch. It’s a big deal in my household.”

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All of these lucky humans will get an up-close look at the competition, which includes agility events along with the contest for the coveted Best in Show title.

For the dogs, it’s serious business, but for viewers it’s nothing but fun.

Royal Canin / Jesus Aranguren for Michael Simon

“It’s super fun for me, being a dog owner, to see how well-cared for and well-trained these animals are,” O’Connell said of the competitors, who always put him in a good mood. “It’s fun to get back home and try to get my dogs to do a homemade agility course in our backyard.”

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Unfortunately, for the actor, those agility courses don’t usually pan out: His four dogs are more about inactive events.

Jerry O’Connell/Instagram

“I lose out to my dogs on the couch. I have been sitting on the floor recently, ” he shared. “If they had an event of which animals could take up the most room on furniture, they would be Best in Show.”

Based on his experience last year, O’Connell feels confident that anyone who tunes into Animal Planet’s airing of the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on Jan. 1, 2018 at 7 p.m. ET will finish watching in a great mood.